KIDAPAWAN CITY (MindaNews / 4Dec) – The Metro Kidapawan Water District (MKWD) has sent three teams to monitor the watersheds in Mount Apo and their facilities, including dams and filtration plants, to ensure safe drinking water while Typhoon Pablo is ravaging Mindanao.
The watersheds are sources of water for more than 25,000 households in Kidapawan City and nearby towns of Makilala, Magpet and Matalam in North Cotabato.
Engr. Sandy Alqueza, MKWD assistant general manager who also heads the Crisis Management Team, said that after they received the advisory from the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA) of Typhoon Pablo affecting the province, they immediately held emergency meetings to prepare for the disaster.
Alqueza said that torrential rains usually cause heavy flooding and landslides in areas near their water sources.
To make sure their filtration plants are working and to avoid heavy turbidity during flooding, the MKWD dispatched teams to conduct patrolling in the watersheds.
Alqueza said the teams brought with them the necessary equipment and facilities for monitoring the watersheds, reservoirs, dams, and their filtration plants located in different areas.
MKWD general manager Stella Gonzales said the Oplan Pablo, led by Alqueza, will also strengthen community-based approach to reduce the damage to be brought by typhoon Pablo.
The MKWD has identified six watershed areas, which include Amapolon, Lawan, Padet, Pamanganan, Basingon and Sakatian, all located at Mount Apo.
Also, the teams were tasked to conduct inspection of possible encroachment and entry of unauthorized persons and check on the presence of renewed agricultural activities in the watershed areas.
Early September this year, MKWD watershed personnel team leader Rey Anthony Debelos has strongly recommended the planting of bamboos and giant ferns and cogon grass in the river banks and near stiff slopes to prevent erosion and landslides. (Malu Cadelina Manar / MindaNews)